Shenzhen has been all the rage these past years, especially with new visas and visa-free travel options opening up for foreign nationals from around the world. Thanks to China’s advanced high-speed rail system, travel has never been more accessible. Always wanted to visit the breathtaking mountains that inspired the alien planet of the blockbuster film Avatar? You can get there in a few hours by train! But there is one common concern amongst tourists (and even Hong Kong locals), which is setting up a payment system to match China’s rapid digitalization over the past decades, as most of the country is now cashless.

While some of us are Alipay veterans thanks to our Taobao shopping addictions, others are hesitant or confused about joining a new payment platform to facilitate their travels. Enter Visa: here to deliver seamless payment solutions across the country; using any Visa card or Apple Pay, you are now able to pay with credit card across the country.

As part of Visa’s global strategic partnership with Shanghai Summer, The Beat Asia team was privileged to join the global digital payment platform to experience just how easy it is to pay with a credit card in China! Whether taking public transportation, hailing a cab, or paying at a restaurant or shop, you can do it all with a Visa card.

Things to Do in Shanghai

Shanghai’s Former French Concession

The first morning of our trip, we ventured out to the former French Concession in Shanghai, a historic and culturally rich neighborhood filled with unique local shops in heritage buildings. A popular tourist destination, many of the shops are fitted with Visa payment terminals to facilitate smooth guest shopping experiences.

One such shop was Short Sentence, the concept store home to local fashion brand MINI LIVING, which also participated in Shanghai Fashion Week, another Visa-sponsored initiative, this October.

Helmed by lead designer Guan Lin, the brand currently has a collaboration with Pixar film Toy Story and features an equally colorful and whimsical collection. At first sight, it may be hard to imagine the playful pieces in one’s wardrobe, but as we tried on different pieces, each was like a statement item essential to anyone’s capsule collection. From gorgeously vibrant dresses and a signature denim collection to cheeky accessories, to custom footwear, Short Sentence has it all.

Our visit was also our first opportunity to try out the shop’s newly fitted Visa payment terminal (in matching Visa blue, of course), and we can confirm payments are as easy as they are back home. Staff are welcoming and fully trained to receive credit card payments — a completely seamless experience!

Location: Short Sentence, No. 290 Anfu Rd., Jing’An District, Shanghai

As we walked along the streets of the neighborhood, we were struck by how green the city is, with residents and tourists taking advantage of the bicycle rental facilities available on almost every roadside and lush green trees shading the streets.

In addition to local brands, creative collectives can be found as well, like Looknow & Flow, which stocks a curated streetwear selection, plushies, and collectibles like Jellycat and irresistibly cute local brand so far so good (SFSG)!

We could not resist SFSG’s signature fluffy dog keychains, side collection of adorable felines, and other merch like notebooks and tumblers. The store was like a never-ending treasure trove that we’ve bookmarked for our next visit to Shanghai.

Location: Looknow & Flow, 156 Anfu Rd., Jing’An District, Shanghai

Our next stop took us to Perfumer H, and what we loved was how walkable the French Concession was. With streets lined with preloved fashion retailers and unique F&B concepts, this is a neighborhood you’ll want to plan to spend a day in.

Perfumer H is a British brand founded by perfume maker Lyn Harris, with their Shanghai flagship discreetly tucked into Lane 845 on Julu Road. The store has three stories, two of which are gallery floors, as well as a verdant garden terrace.

Each of their 45 bespoke scents is the epitome of quiet elegance, with a perfume for every person. We were drawn to earthy fragrances: Rain Wood, Charcoal, Salt, and Moss.

In addition to perfumes, the brand also stocks candles and incense, perfect to ornament your home with one of their signature scents — that last touch that will make every guest inquire, "Your house smells so good; what is that?" 

At Perfumer H, we encountered a second gateway from Visa — the universal payment method of China — a QR code. Those who may find QR codes a little daunting don’t have to worry, however, as it won’t try to direct to an app like Alipay or WeChat Pay. Instead, you will be taken to a secure browser to key in your payment amount (think PayMe), which you will then be able to settle with your Visa card connected to your Apple Wallet!

Location: Perfumer H, No. 5, Lane 845 Julu Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai

Exploring Zhangyuan

Continuing our shopping adventure, we ventured to Zhangyuan, a revitalized old walled city dating back to 1882, located near our hotel in Jing'an. The neighborhood is home to the concept stores of many international luxury fashion brands, with its signature red brick buildings offering a unique and picturesque setting for flagships.

Many aesthetic cafés and eateries line the cultural complex located on West Nanjing Road, making it a literal feast for the senses.

During our visit, we also learned about Shanghai’s attractive tax refund policies for overseas travelers (including those visiting from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). Zhangyuan has a dedicated tax refund service counter offering "refunds-upon-purchase" to visitors. Skip the hassle of long airport queues and reclaim your taxes after a productive shopping spree. Just make sure to save all the receipts from your purchases.

Location: Tax Refund Service Counter, Zhangyuan W8, Jing’an District, Shanghai

Sightseeing in Pudong, Shanghai

Crossing Shanghai’s iconic Huangpu River, we arrived at Pudong, the city’s Central Business District (CBD), which is also home to Visa’s new headquarters in Shanghai IFC.

Our first stop was the Museum of Art Pudong (MAP) to visit their ongoing Paths to Modernity exhibit featuring over 100 masterpieces from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, including works from Vincent van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Renoir, and many other modern masters.

We embarked on an immersive guided tour walking through Academicism to Realism and Naturalism, through Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism, to Post-Impressionism in the immaculately curated exhibition. The grandeur of the museum was a fitting sight for the masterpieces of our school textbooks, brought to life in Shanghai.

Spanning five floors, MAP is unique in that it does not house a permanent exhibition, but rather a rotating roster of regional and international programs. Although Paths to Modernity is coming to a close after an extended run on Oct. 26, 2025, you can stay tuned on MAP’s official website for their upcoming roster.

Location: Museum of Art Pudong, No. 2777, Binjiang Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Another site to visit in Pudong District is The Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse Garden, located in the Shanghai Expo Culture Park (formerly the Shanghai World Expo Park), which spans two square kilometers of green spaces, including its Greenhouse Garden, dubbed Shanghai’s version of Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay.

The massive indoor area impresses with its scale and is also home to some small animals and aquariums. It’s a great photo opportunity spot, so come dressed in an outfit that will stand out amidst all the green! After spending a day in the streets, the large green space offered us a refreshing breather in the garden oasis.

Location: The Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse Garden, 100 Jikun Lu, Shanghai Expo Culture Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

Rounding out our evening, we returned to the riverside to embark on a scenic nighttime cruise along Huangpu River. Having witnessed Shanghai’s iconic skyline from the rooftop of MAP, we were excited to get a 360° panoramic look.

The scenic ride was a stunning way to take in all of Shanghai’s glowing nighttime skyline in good company, a glass of champagne in hand.

Huangpu River cruises and guided tours can be booked via Klook or Trip.com, or you can hire an entire cruise privately via a local agency. We even witnessed a floating restaurant and a banquet hall on a boat, best suited for private events.

We would recommend booking a private nighttime cruise, as having the ship to yourself makes all the difference. Watching Shanghai’s glistening skyline at dusk all around us as a gentle breeze refreshed our faces from a busy outdoors was a real treat! All the little touches from the cruise’s hospitality team made for a comfortable and elevated experience.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Jing An Shangri-La, conveniently located near the French Concession and Zhangyuan shopping areas and just a short drive over to Pudong. The luxury 5-star hotel is a statement of classical elegance, standing out amongst its culturally rich surroundings. The hotel boasts beautiful views we could not get enough of, especially from our room on the 53rd floor, as well as its Horizon Club Lounge situated on the 55th floor, offering floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of Shanghai as we took our breakfast in the morning.

The excellent location, premium service, luxurious room, and indulgent dining options had us wishing to prolong our trip towards the end of our stay. The hotel comes highly recommended, offering classic Shangri-La hospitality.

Location: Jing An Shangri-La, 1218 Middle Yan'an Road, Jing An Kerry Centre, West Nanjing Road, Shanghai

What to Eat

An unmissable delicacy during your visit is Shanghai hairy crab. Having eagerly anticipated our chance to enjoy the popular autumnal dish, we were excited (and hungry) when we arrived at Chenglongxing - Yifeng Garden, a premium dining establishment situated in a historical building, where we were treated to a decadent 24-dish spread.

Serving signature Shanghainese cuisine, many of the courses featured hairy crab, like their irresistible Crab Xiao Long Bao, Crab Served with River Shrimp, Stir-Fried Crab Noodles, and Crab Vermicelli Claypot. Other delicacies included Chili Stir-Fried Pork, Steamed Grouper, and their Steamed Lily Bulbs with Spanish Ham.

But finally, it was time for the moment we had been waiting for: our servers rolled in a cart of steamed Shanghai hairy crab and took to deshelling and presenting each guest with a delicious crab spread.

The freshness of the crab had us savoring every bite, from the smooth taste of its meat to the burst of flavor of the rich roe that left us craving more.

Location: Chenglongxing - Yifeng Garden, No. 1442, Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai

One of our favorite dining destinations during our visit to the Museum of Art Pudong took us to its rooftop, where an elegant restaurant glowed against the backdrop of the Shanghai Bund at dusk.

ROOF P.M. Modern Dining serves modern European cuisine curated by Chefs Giovianni Young and Paul-Arthur Berlan. During the day, the restaurant serves as a museum café and converts into a high-end dining establishment at night.

We dined on a four-course menu that evening, starting with a Ham Salad, followed by the creative presentation of the classic Chinese Lotus Soup with Pork Rib. For our main, we enjoyed the beautifully plated and prepared Seared Cod Fish, a refreshing and flavorful dish. And for dessert, we were delighted to be served a Visa-themed Chocolate Noisette, a sweet finish to our evening.

Boasting 270° views of Shanghai’s skyline from its floor-to-ceiling windows, the restaurant is a great way to immerse yourself in the heart of the city while treating your palate.

Location: ROOF P.M. Modern Dining, 5/F Rooftop, 2777 Binjiang Avenue, Lujiazui, Shanghai

Another memorable dining spot was our visit to popular Beijing restaurant Tidu. The venue’s grand interior is cave-like in its dark, muted tones but with natural and elegant accents highlighting different zones of the space, including its main dining area, private dining rooms, bar, and garden.

We were served an indulgent 18-course menu featuring modern Peking flavors beautifully presented and plated. Highlights include the Fermented Bean Curd & Red Wine Foie Gras, Sweet Bean Sauce Braised Fat-Free Pig Trotters, Signature Sea Cucumber & Pork Skin Aspic, Boston Lobster, and Typhoon Shelter Tiger Crab (it was hard to pick a favorite, but deep down, we knew the one menu item we would not be forgetting).

Arriving to serve us tableside, we were treated to an irresistible show of Tidu’s signature Qiantan Five-Flavor Roast Duck prepared and plated in two versions.

The Peking duck’s crispy skin was carefully sliced into bite-sized portions, topped with caviar that was such a perfect combination of crunch and melt-in-your-mouth flavor. The neatly wrapped classic pancakes were also too delicious for us not to go back for seconds.

For those who are fans of Peking cuisine, we would recommend Tidu as the answer to everything you are looking for!

Location: Tidu Reserve Restaurant, S-L4-05, 06, L4, Shiqu, Qiantan Taikoo Li, Dongyu Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai

#TravelWithVisa in Shanghai

Navigating Shanghai was also a breeze thanks to the different payment gateways set up by Visa! Although the most common transaction method is still via QR code scanning, you now have the option to pay by credit card on Shanghai’s metro or even designated taxis.

Even when you arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, you can take the Shanghai Maglev Train (SMT) into the city by simply tapping your Visa card at the payment gates. The first commercial high-speed train in the world, the magnetic levitating train takes you from the airport to central Pudong in just eight minutes. From there, you can easily transfer to Shanghai’s subway or grab a cab to your next destination.

Being able to pay with your Visa card is also great because you do not have to worry about buying another transportation card or reloading your balance on an app, offering a seamless airport transportation experience.

The Shanghai Metro is also easy to navigate and highly accessible, and can take you throughout the city as well as to connecting high-speed rail stations if you are transferring cities or planning a day trip in another town.

Shanghai is home to multiple taxi operators, but one of their major cab businesses is Dazhong, which has now entered into a partnership with Visa to facilitate credit card payments. Fares start from an affordable RMB19 (around HK$21 or US$3), and drivers are equipped with an app on which you can tap your card for easy payment!

In addition to hailing cabs from the street, you can book a Dazhong taxi via their service hotline at +86-21-96822.

We also had the chance to visit Visa’s new Shanghai office in Shanghai IFC and were greeted by their adorable mascot Vee in multiple fluffy and giant versions! Their office has amazing views of the entire city, including a full viewpoint of Shanghai’s iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

We received a warm welcome from Visa representatives Mr. Xiaolong Yin, General Manager of Visa Mainland China, and Ms. Shirley Yu, Group General Manager of Visa Greater China, as they shared more about Visa’s vision to spread not only payment accessibility but smart financial solutions that grow with you as you progress through life.

Additionally, Visa is taking part in more lifestyle initiatives like their sponsorship of the highly-anticipated return of the MAMA Awards to Hong Kong happening from Nov. 28 to 29, 2025, which includes exclusive presale offers and benefits for Visa cardholders and other exciting regional activations. Additionally, Visa is the title sponsor of BLACKPINK’s return to Hong Kong at Kai Tak Stadium in January 2026!

Following Visa’s active participation in the F1 China Grand Prix | Shanghai International Circuit and Shanghai Fashion Week, we’re excited to see what’s more in store for the brand.

Final Thoughts

We loved Shanghai! China’s financial center seamlessly fuses culture and old school charm with cutting-edge technology, and it was great to witness the accessibility of the city firsthand. A three-day trip did not offer as much time to explore as we would prefer, and we will definitely be back (especially for the shopping).

For more information about Visa Hong Kong’s upcoming initiatives, stay tuned on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.